What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract
Emulsion StabilisingDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil
Emollient
Honokiol
Antioxidant
Magnolol
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Stearyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Pantolactone, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil, Honokiol, Magnolol, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearic Acid, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesteryl Macadamiate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Glycine
Buffering
Glucosamine Hcl
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Methionine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
Abrasive
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Calcium Chloride
AstringentTaurine
BufferingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Formic Acid
Preservative
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Histidine
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methylpropanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-51, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Fructooligosaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Saccharide Isomerate, Octyldodecanol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Raffinose, Anhydroxylitol, Folic Acid, Ceramide NP, Xylitol, Cholesterol, Glucose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Sucrose Stearate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Cholesteryl Macadamiate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Magnesium PCA, Copper Tripeptide-1, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Guaiazulene, Glycine, Glucosamine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Magnesium Citrate, Magnesium Chloride, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Cysteine, Citrulline, Sea Salt, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine, Calcium Chloride, Taurine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Formic Acid, Proline, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Histidine, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
